Toy house



July 12, 11932. MYERS 67,374

TOY HOUSE Filed May 1, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet l 25 YINVENTOR M42045 L NYE/es ATTO H. L. MYERS fl m, 1932.

TOY HOUS E Filed May 1, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 1A VENTOR f/qkoLo l. MYERS A TTORVE K" July 12, 1932. H. L. MYERS 11,867,374

TOY HOUS E Filed May 1. 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 2 E 2% G 78 a 5 'lll gfi 4 H I 61 I 966/ I 175511;

IA'VENTOR $504 0 M75425 B Y A TTORNE Y5 Patented July 12; 1932 UNITED STATES mnoLn L. MYERS, or monaisrowmnnw mass;

\ TOY HOUSE Application filed May 1, 1931. Serial No. 534,197.

M invention relates to toy houses and more particularly to that type thereof commonly known as doll houses, and has for its object to construct such a house of cardboard or r equivalent material, in a manner to permit the house to be folded or collapsed into compact form when not in use, and to be easily set up and assembled to constitute a replica of a conventional cottage or other building. a The invention contemplates further the provision of a toy house in which a plurality of rooms or equivalent divisions are contained all of which are accessible for play purposes. Other objects will appear from the description hereinafter, and the features of novelty d u will be pointed out 1n the clalms.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an example of the invention Without defining its limits, Fig. 1 is an exterior per- 0 spective elevation of a dollhouse embodying the novel features; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the roof and one wall of the house in a folded position in which the interior parts of the house are accessible; Figs. 3 to 65 9 inclusive are views of the blanks or sections which form theseveral parts of the house;

Figs. 10 to 14 inclusive are views showing said blanks or sections in positions ready to be connected to set up the house; Fig. 15 is a 0 perspective viewof a folding stairway forming part of the invention; Fig. 16 is a face view of the blank from which said stairway -is constructed; and Fig. 17 is a longitudinal section of the house shown in'Fig. 1.

In the illustrated example the toy house is shown in the form of a conventional dwelling, and consists of a plurality of sections. of cardboard or other suitable material capable of being folded into shape and fitted-together 40 to form the several floors, rooms and other divisions included in" the dwelling. While the novel arrangement is particularly adapted for the constructionof toy dwellings, it is not restricted thereto and the drawings and 45 following description are accordingly to be construed as including equivalent combinations which, when set up, constitute replicas or other types and classes of buildings.

The main or lower portion of the house is 50 formed from the blank or section A shown in Figs. 4 and 11, which consists of a main panel 20 and auxiliary panels 21 foldably connected therewith along score lines 22 and 22; the panels 21 in turn are foldably connected along score lines 23 with additional panels 24 and 25, the panel 24 being provided at its free edge with a projection.

26 and the panel being foldably connected along a score line 27 with a partition panel 28 having a tab 29 projecting from its free edge, as shown in Fig. 4. The main panel 20 is formed with an opening 30 which, in the finished. house becomes a stairwell, and is provided with notches 31 and 31*, the purpose of which will be more fully referred to hereinafter. In addition to the above, a slot 32 is cut in the main panel 20 so as to extend from the opening 30 to the score line 22, said slot serving to accommodate a partition member in the manner to be set forth in detail further on in the description. A short slot 33 is cut in the main panel 20 in registry with the slot 32 and extending from the score line 22*, while additional short slots. '34 are cut in the panels 21 so as to project from the score lines 22 and 22 in registering pairs as shown in Fig. 4. It will be, understood that the arrangement of the slots 32, 33 and 34 may be changed to meet the requirements of the building which is to be exemplified by the toy house and in some cases may be all or partly omitted. In the present case the partition panel 28 is provided with a 'main opening 35 and a minor opening 36 both representing door openings in the finished house, the opening 35, in the illustrated example, being in linear registry with the projection 26 of the panel 24.

When setting up the toy house, the section A is folded to the condition shown in Fig. 11; that is, the auxiliary panels 21 are folded on the score lines 22 and 22 to positions at right angles or perpendicular to the main panel 20 and the panels 24 and 25 are folded on the'score lines 23 into parallel relation with the main panel 20, the partition panel 28 having been folded on the line 2'( to a position penpendicular tothe panel 25. The tab 29 is passed through the opening 30 and fitted into the notches 31 and the pro- ;in which the side angles to the pane 3,7, and in this position jection 26 is fitted into the lower end of the door opening 35 so that the parts are firmly held in the form of, a rectangular tube d1- vided transversely by the partition panel 28.

In the present case, the up er floor of the house is divided into a h and several roomsby means of a cardboard hall section B shown in Figs. 5 and 12. This section B consists of a central panel 37 and two side panels 38 foldabl connected therewith alongscore lines 39.- he central panel 37 is provided with an opening 30 aving a notch 31 corresponding to and adapted to register with the opening 30 and thenotch 31 of the section A; the s1de panels 38 in turn include door openings 40 and slits 41, the latter terminatin at thefree edges of said panels 38 and eing located so as to register lineall with the slots 32 and33 of the section A.

n setting up the toy house, the section B is folded to the positionshown in Fig. 12 anels 38 extend at right is set upon the section A with the opening 30 in registry with the opening 30. a

The upper floor of the house chosen for urposes of illustration is further divided by a partition sectionC shown in Figs. 6 and 13. This section C consists of a flat sheet of cardboard or other suitable material cut to form a major member 42 and a minor member 42 connected by a cross member 43, preferably-of ornamental outline and provided with notches 44. At intermediate points in registry with each other, the major member 42 is formed with shoulders 45 and further includes a locking hook or tab 46 which projects from the free edge of said member 42 and is duplicated at the free-edge of the member 42; a tab 47 projects from the lower edge of the member 42*, and a door opening. 48 is provided in the member 42, as shown in Flgs. 6 and 13.

When the toy house is to be set up, the section C is put in place by passing the member- 42 downwardly through the slit 30 until the shoulders 45 arrest such movement; in this position the member 42 extends between the partition panel 28 and the one end panel 21 and divides the lower floor of the toy house into two rooms on one side of said partition panel 28, which rooms communicate w th each other through the door opening 48, as shown in Fi 2; at .the same time the member 42 and t e upper portion of the member 42 divide the upper floor of the house into additional rooms on each side of the hall sectioh B. When the section C is fully in place,

the cross member 43 will be located in the the slot 33 of the section A so that the sections A, B and C are firmly fixed in place.

The toy house in its illustrated form further includes a collapsiblestair section 1) 4 shown in Figs. 7 14, 15 and 16. The blank' form in-which this stairway is constructed is shown in Fig. 16 and consists of a sheet of. cardboard or other suitable material cut to form a bottom panel 49 foldably connected along score'lines 50 with staircase panels 51 and-52. The panel 51 is continued'to p'ro- 16. Spaced parallel score lines .58 extend from the one terminal slit 56 to the free edge of the panel 52 to form an auxiliary panel 59 and a glue flap 60 foldable on said score lines 58. To increase the effect of a bannister the panels 51 and 52 may be provided with corresponding openings 61 of triangular or other predetermined shape adapted to register with each other in the assembled condi tion of the stairsection D. In the illustrated example the panel 52 is further provided with a door opening-62.

To bring thestair section-D into condition for use in the toy house, the panel 52 is folded on its score line 50 into surface engagement with the panel 51 with the openings 61 in registry with each other, as shown in Fig. 7

That part of the panel 52 which includes the opening 61 is then glued to the panel 51, the gluing extending up to the score lines 57,

but not beyond the same to the stair panels a; at the same time, the glue flap 60 is folded over the edge 5 of the panel 51 and glued to the rear surface thereof.

In the setting up ofthe toy house, the stair sectionID is placed in position by first folding back the rail flap 54 and then passing the rail member 53 and folded flap 54 from be-- low upwardly through the stairwell formed by the openings 30 and 30*, the rail member 53 fitting into the notches 31. When this upward insertion has been completed the section D is unfolded on the score lines 50, 57 and 57 and 58, to form the flight of stairs shown in Figs. 14 and 15, and the rail flap 54 is folded to'the position shown in said fig-' ures and so as to extend between the rail member 53 and one side panel 38 of the section B. In the final position of the section D the stairway rises adjacent to and in' contact with the partition panel 28 of the section A, and the panel 49 lies beneath and in engagement with thepanel20 of said section A. The eifect is thus one of a rising flight of stairs and a rearwardly extending hall which communicates with one of the rooms on the lowerefloor of the house through the door opening 61.

' and terminate in upwardly extending projections 66 shaped to represent chimneys. The side wall panels 64 are provided with vertical slots 67, and are further slit to form porch roof panels 68 foldable on score lines 69, said panels 68 including horizontal slots 70, as

shown in Figs. 3 and 10. The roof of the toy house consists of a panel 71 foldably connected with the panel 63 along a score line 72, and a panel 73 foldably connected with the panel 71 along a folding line 74; the latter is preferably taped to providea hinge on which the panel 73 may be folded back upon the panel 71'for the purpose to be more fully set forth hereinafter. A front wall panel 5 is foldably connected with the panel 73 along a folding line 76, which preferably is also taped to provide a hinge on which the panel 75 may be folded upon the panel 73. The panels 71 and 73 are slotted at 77 to provide slots extending in opposite directions beyond the hinge line 74 for the reception of the chimney projections 66 in the completely set up condition of the house.

In setting up the house, the section E is folded about the section A to bring the rear wall panel 63 across the back thereof and the side wall panels 64 and 64*- into positions at right angles to said panel 63 in engagement with the end panels '21 of said section A, the lockinghooks 46 of the section C being passed through the slots 67 to lock the sectionE in place. The roof panels 71 and 73 are then folded over and into engagement with the upper edges of the side wall panels 64 and 64*, the chimney projections 66 extending through the slots 77, and the front Wall panel 75 automatically folding into place to close the front-of the house and complete the main structure thereof.

The illustrated form of the toy house further includes two outside end sections F and G shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 and constructed to represent a sun porch and an open porch respectively. The sections F and G comprise central panels 78 and end panels 79 foldably connected with the central panels 78 along score lines 80, the central panels being each provided with lugs 81 and the side panels with projections 82.

The sections F and G are placed in position beneath the porch'roof panels 68 by folding the end panels 79 to the positions shown in Fig. 10 and inserting the projections 82 into the slots 34 of the section A; the roof panels 68 are then folded down upon the sections F condition shown in and G with the lugs 81 projecting through the slots to complete the structure.

It will be understood that all of the various sections constituting the house are suitably decorated exteriorly and interiorly to carry out the intended effect, for instance, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in which the dwellin includes two end porches, and interior y is divided into a living room, dining room and kitchen on the first floor and three bed rooms, a bathroom and a centre hall on the second floor, with a stair case giving access from the living room on the first floor to said hall on the second floor.

To make the setting up of the toy house clear and easily understood, the following brief resume will be of assistance. The first step is to fold and secure the section A to the position shown in Fig. 11, after which the sections B and C in the manner indicated in Figs. 12 and 13 are connected with the section A; at this stage it is preferred to set the stair section D in place by passing it upwardly through the stair well 30, 30 in the manner previously set forth. The section E is then folded about the combined sections A, B, and C and fixed in place by means of the locking hooks 46 and slots 67 after which the roof panels 71 and 73 and the front wall panel of the section E are folded into position. The setting up of the house is complet ed byadding the porch sections F and G and fixing them in their intended position by means of the panels 68 with the co-operation of the slots 7 O and the lugs 81, and the projections 82 with the slots 34. In this condi tion, the house of the illustrated example presents the appearance shown in Fig. -1.

When access to the interior of the house is desired, the panels 75 and 73 are folded back to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 10, which may be readily done and does not interfere with the rigidity of the house structure. In

this position of the parts, the house presents cluded in the dwelling on both floors are readily accessible for play purposes and for the introduction of suitable and appropriate toy furniture. By simply folding the panels 75 and 78 back to their normal positions,

the toy house is quicFkly restored to the closed From the above, it is. clear that the house is firmly locked together in its assembled condition and is safe against any of the ordinary impacts developed during play; at the same time, the house is capable of being quickly dismantled and knocked down to compact form for shipping and storage purposes, the parts of said house, when dismantled, all being fiat units which are easily handled and stored. The house in whatever form it may be constructed is inexpensive and attractive to the child as a plaything, and comprises interlocking and easily assembled sections which '.cooperate'to provide a solid, rigid structure.

Itwill be noted that the top panel of the. "5' section A constitutes the ceilings of the rooms on the first floor, and the floors of the rooms on the second story of the house, thus reducing the arrangement to the greatest simplicity.' The use of portions of the sides of the house to provide roofs for the two end 'porches, and the collapsible stairway and bannister construction are novel features which add to the simplicity of the constructions. This is true also of the folding roof and front wall arrangement whereby access to all of; the rooms and all interior parts of the'house is greatly facilitated.

Various changes in the specific forms shown and described may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim 1. A collapsible toy house comprising a plurality of collapsible interior sections de-' tachably connected with each other to form the interior divisions of the house, an external collapsible section, including foldable side walls foldable about said interior sections to form the exterior of the house, a collapsible porch section detachably connected with said interior sections to simulate a porch, and a porch roof panel forming part of one of said foldable side walls and foldable out of the plane thereof and relatively thereto into connection with said form the roof thereof.

' 2. In a collapsible toy house, an interior section consisting of a plurality of panels foldably connected with each other and ad-' justable relatively to each other to form a partitioned rectangular horizontal tube adapted to provide the interior floors, ceiling and,room walls, and at least a portion of the outer walls of the toy house, and means comrising inherent partsof said panels wherey the latter are detachably locked in position.

3. In a collapsible toy house, an interior section consisting of a main panel arranged to divide the house into an upper and lower floor and provided with a notched opening simulating a stairwell, auxiliary panels foldably connected with said main panel and foldable to positions perpendicular thereto to constitute parts of the side walls of the house, additional panels foldably connected with said auxiliary panels and foldable into parallelism with said main panel to form the bottom floor of the house, a partition panel foldably connected with one of said additional panels and foldable to a position at right angles thereto, said partition panel extending between said additional and .main

panels, to partition the lower floor of the house into rooms, and a tab on said partition porch section to:

said notched opening for fixing said panels in position.

4. In a collapsible toy house, an interior section consisting of a main panel constituting a ceiling and provided with a notched opening simulating a stairwell, auxiliary panels in permanent hinged connection with said main panel and foldable topositions perpendicular thereto to constitute upright walls, additional panels foldably connected with said auxiliary panels and foldable into parallelism with said main panel to form the floors of said interior section,-a partition panel foldably connected with one of said additional panels and foldable to a position at right angles thereto to constitute a room partition, and a tab on said partition panel arranged to project through and fit said notched stairwell opening for fixing said panels in position, said main panel including .panel and consisting of a central panel and two side panels foldably connected therewith and foldable to positions atright angles to" said central panel, thelatter being provided with a stairwell openingadapted to register with the stairwell opening of said main panel, and said side panels having slits terminating in open ends at the free edges thereof, and a partition section adapted to be fitted into the slits of said hall section and to extendon opposite sides thereof to provide ject downwardly through the slot of said main panel to form a transverse partition beneath the latter between said partition panel and one of said auxiliary panelswhereby said interior section both above and below said main panel is subdivided to provide upper .room divisions above said interior section, said partition section being arranged to pro and lower rooms, and a collapsible stair section arranged to be fitted into said stairwell to simulate a stairway communicating with the space above said interior section.

5. In a collapsible toy house, an interior section consisting of a mainpanel constituting a ceiling and provided with. a notched opening simulating a stairwell, auxiliary panels in permanent hinged connection with said main panel and foldable to positions perpendicular thereto to constitute upright walls, additional panels foldably connected with said auxiliary panels and foldable into parallelism with said main panel to form the floors of said interior section, a-partition panel foldably connected with one of said additional panels and foldable to a position at right angles thereto to constitute a room partition, and a tab on said partition panel arranged to project through and fit said notched stairwell opening for "fixing said panels in position, said main panel including a slot extending from said notched opening to the folding line of one of said auxiliary panels, a hall section resting upon said main panel and consisting of a central panel and two side panels foldably connected therewith and foldable to positions at right angles to said central panel, the latter being provided with a stairwell opening adapted to register with the stairwell opening of said main panel, and said side panels having slits terminating in open ends at the free edges thereof, and a partition section adapted to be fitted into the slits of said hall section and to extend on opposite sides thereof to provide room divisions above said interior section, said partition section being arranged to project downwardly through the slot of said main panel to form a transverse partition beneath the latter between said partition panel and one of said auxiliary panels whereby said interior section both above and below said main section is subdivided to provide upper and lower rooms, and a collapsible stair section ,arranged to be fitted into said stairwell to simulate a stairway communicating with the space above said interior section, locking tabs projecting from said partition section. an exterior section consisting of a rear wall panel and side wall panels foldably connected therewith and provided with slots adapted to fit over the locking tabs of said partition section to' enclose said interior section and form the exterior rear and side walls of said house, chimney projections on said side wall panels, roof panels foldably connected with said rear wall panel and with each other and provided with slots arranged to fit over said chimney projections, and a front wall panel foldably connected with said roof panels and arranged to form the front wall of the house.

a glue flap foldably connected with said auxiliary panel.

8. In a collapsible toy house, a stair section comprising stair case panels connected with each other in surface engagement along a line defined by score lines arranged in staggered relation opposite to and spaced from correspondingly arranged score lines, one of said panels being formed with a plurality of parallel slits extending between said score lines to define the treads of a flight of stairs, a bottom panel, and an auxiliary panel both connected with said stair case panels along score lines, said panels being foldable relatively to each other on said score lines to adjust said treads into the form of a stair case.

.9. In a collapsible toy house, a stair section comprising stair case panels connected with each other in surface engagement along a line defined by score lines arranged in staggored relation opposite to and spaced from correspondingly arranged score lines, one of said panels being formed with a plurality of parallel slits extending between said score lines to define the treads of a flight of stairs, abottom panel, and an auxiliary panel both connected with said stair case panels along score lines, said panels being foldable relatively to each other on said score lines to adjust said treads into the form of a stair case, the connected portions of the panels constituting bannister and rail members, and a rail flap foldably connected with said rail member.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set in hand.

y HAROLD L. MYERS.

6. In a collapsible toy house, a collapsible tion with said porch section-to form the roof thereof.

7. a collapsible toy house, a stair blank consisting of a bottom panel, stair case panels foldably connected therewith, and'continued to form banmster. panels, a rail member formmg part of one of said staircase panels. a rail flap foldably connected with said rail memher, the other staircase panel being provided with a plurality of parallel slits in staggered relation and folding lines extending transversely between said slits to constitute a flight of stalrs, an auxiliary panel foldably connected with said other staircase panel, and 

